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Roger Federer emerged from convalescence in the wake of a stomach virus without a mark on him but left a fair few on Diego Hartfield, of Argentina, his hapless first-round opponent. After almost eight weeks without a match, the world No 1 played with imperious disdain, dropping only three games. Hartfield should have asked to see his opponent’s sicknote to be sure that this was not an elaborate con.

The period of mourning for the end of Britain’s interest in a grand-slam tournament arrived earlier than usual and was greeted by The Age newspaper with the headline, France 29, Britain